Aldermen Propose Wisconsin Electoral Map Redistricting

May 8, 2021

From Alderman Mike Hallquist.

Alderman Brad Blumer (7th District) and Ald. Mike Hallquist, submitted a resolution to Mayor Steve Ponto and the City Clerk’s office in support of creating a nonpartisan procedure for the creation of new state legislature and congressional electoral maps. The nonbinding resolution condemns the practice commonly known as gerrymandering, stating the results are undemocratic, stifle competition, discourage compromise, incur costly litigation, and are not in the interest of Wisconsin residents. It further states that no politician or political party should choose their voters, and insists the State Legislature create a nonpartisan and independent procedure for preparing legislative and congressional electoral district maps.

Over the last week, I have received a great deal of messages from residents indicating they would like to see the Brookfield Common Council weigh-in on the creation of an independent and nonpartisan redistricting process. While the Common Council has no formal power to impact the map creation process, historically the Common Council, and our Mayor, will weigh-in on issues outside of our official powers. Previous examples of this include the Common Council passing a resolution that opposed the Dark Store Tax Loophole in 2016 and the Mayor's most recent comments regarding local control and State shared revenue levels. It is firmly within our duty as an elected body to listen to our residents and indicate our preferences as a community to higher levels of government on issues that directly impact our City.

According to a Marquette University Law School poll in 2019, 72% of Wisconsinites favor an end to partisan redistricting. Additionally, there have been similar referendums or resolutions passed in 55 other counties and 21 communities.

While of course no system is perfect, the idea that politicians and political parties should be able pick their own voters is an obviously terrible design. Any politician present or future that supports gerrymandering is doing it solely out of individual or partisan self-interest, neither of which benefit the public. Alderman Blumer & I, and clearly many other Brookfield residents, refuse to believe there is not a better way. This resolution would send a message to our elected representatives that Brookfield values free and fair elections.

Brookfield's most recent elections show the value of having fair maps as candidates from both parties actually campaigned hard, reached out to residents, and participated in the traditional democratic process. It was refreshing to have primaries and competitive elections in our City. I sincerely hope it can continue here.

The views expressed here are the author's own.